Learning from Jesus - Pt. 1

 

Seeing the crowds, he [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1-12 ESV).

 

My good friend, Truman Oakley, is a science teacher at Eustace High School in Texas. He has been using a wonderful technique involving the students in incredible hands-on experiences in what has been named “Bulldog Woods.” The High School is located near some acreage that is partially wooded. Being in a relatively rural setting, it is teaming with various wild animals. He has set up trail cameras to capture photos and videos of the various comings and goings of the critters. It also has a pond where he has taken the students on a regular “field trip” (it is only a ten-minute walk from the classroom). They found some tadpoles and brought them back to the classroom to place them in various aquariums to watch their metamorphoses. The lessons he teaches are incredibly powerful for these students. He is what I would qualify as a “master teacher.”

 

Today we begin a series looking at THE Master Teacher of all time. Jesus was renowned as a teacher. His closest followers called him Rabbi, which means teacher. His memorable stories caused people to apply their faith in new ways. Jesus’ sermon on the mount (found in Matthew 5-7) contains some of Christianity’s most powerful teachings. Jesus also asked really good questions. Jesus posed more than 300 recorded questions during his teaching ministry, and during this month’s series of devotions we will look at 31 of them. Jesus asked questions that were profound, curious, open-ended, and challenging. Jesus wanted us to think carefully about living for and serving God in this world. And he directly answered only a handful of his own questions. My hope is that these devotionals will spur us on to live faithfully for the Lord who came so that we can have a truly abundant life.

 

[By the way, should you desire to follow the adventures of the Bulldog Woods, you can follow Truman on Face Book. You won’t be disappointed with his insightful records of he and his students.]

 

Our Great Hope

 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8 ESV).

 

As we come to a close of our journey through the Gospel of Mark let me express my deepest appreciation to all of you who joined me in prayer for my family in Florida. They are fine. David, Becca, Maggie, Lucy, and Harris had very little damage at their house, though the tornado scare was harrowing for the kids. In the beginning of the forecasting of Milton’s path it seemed that it would be a direct strike over their location. As it reached landfall, it began to turn a bit north, and they were spared most of the destructive force of this massive storm. I know that is not the story for thousands of others, and I hope you will continue to pray with me for them.

 

This experience and today’s reading reminded me of the great fear of death, which seems like the last and greatest enemy. I’m not afraid of death personally, though my anxiety in the face of a threat to my family still challenges my hope. The good news is that in Jesus’ resurrection God has provided the solution to death and to the fear of death.

 

In our reading for today, what the women planned to do was not pretty, but it was an act of devotion to Jesus to see that he had a proper burial. Because he had been crucified just before sundown on Friday, there hadn’t been time to properly anoint and prepare his body for burial before their holy Sabbath day. So “when the Sabbath was over,” the women bought spices and went to anoint Jesus’ body, according to their custom. But things didn’t go as planned. Arriving at the tomb, the women were greeted by an angel, who told them something that transformed their lives and changed the world. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified,” said the angel. “He has risen! He is not here.” In an instant their entire understanding of life and death began to change. Jesus had gone from life to death to new life. His resurrection became death’s defeat, and in the light of that, Paul could write, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54). Christ is risen—for you! Do you believe that? That is the solution to our anxiety and fear!

 

Do You Believe?

 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8 ESV).

 

Recently I was reading some random reports (and, I have fact-checked this one … LOL) that reported a non-profit organization raising money for a “Jurassic Park” experiment. Some scientists have recovered DNA from both the Dodo and the Wooly Mammoth, and they believe they can de-extinct” them a release them into the wild. Well… regardless of whether that effort succeeds it will not be a resurrection from the dead. These animals, along with many others, have been extinct for millennia. They are dead and what is dead is dead.

 

Jesus really died. There is no doubt from the reaction of the disciples that they were convinced of the death of Jesus. With that their dreams, hopes, and future were dead as well. As they saw Jesus carried into the tomb, they experienced the death of everything they had thought about Jesus. Far from changing the world, Jesus seemed to be just another “messiah” who had come up short. The cold reality was that their dream of a new world was now lifeless. Jesus was dead. What they couldn’t grasp was the event of His resurrection, even though He had told them several times that would happen.

 

When our own stories and dreams have ended, that’s often when Jesus makes a powerful appearance in our lives. The women were certain that their only job was to prepare the corpse of their teacher for burial. Instead, they received an incredible invitation: Bring the good news to the disillusioned disciples who thought Jesus was gone forever. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene with the news that he is alive. When life is swallowed up by death and extinction, Jesus uses the materials of our lives and produces resurrection. He can bring dead things back to life. Believe it!

 

The Burial of Jesus

 

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve chosen to accompany today’s devotional is known as “the Garden Tomb.” Should you visit Jerusalem, you will undoubtedly visit this beautiful garden and see this tomb. Many believe it is the tomb in which Jesus was buried. I must admit there is some convincing evidence to indicate that it could be the place. The other tomb that carries the belief of many is located underground beneath the Church of the Ascension. There is also a great deal of evidence that points to this spot. Regardless, the great truth is that they are both empty!

 

Today’s reading describes Jesus’ burial are important because they are solid evidence that Jesus truly died. He was neither unconscious nor in a coma. Both the centurion and Pilate would want proof positive that he was dead. Our salvation rests on this. “Christ … suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death …” (1 Peter 3:18).

 

Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the religious leaders’ council who had not consented to their decision to have Jesus crucified (cf. Luke 23:50-51). But the deed was done. Many would have thrown up their hands and said, “I did what I could,” and gone on with life. But Joseph resolved to do more. He “went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.” He sought permission to bury Jesus, and he buried him in the grave he had prepared for himself (cf. Matthew 27:60). Don’t lose sight of this truth. Jesus died, AND he rose again. This is the basis of our faith and hope!

 

Without a Doubt

 

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:33-39 ESV).

 

The crucifixion story is filled with anguish. Jesus is arrested by violent soldiers, deserted by his followers, betrayed by one of his own disciples, tried by a kangaroo court, condemned by a mob, and crucified at the place of the skull (Golgotha). Then a Roman centurion proclaims him the Son of God! Jesus’ true identity shines through the darkness.

 

In Mark’s gospel the centurion’s confession of faith parallels two earlier voices from heaven. At Jesus’ baptism God’s voice speaks, “You are my Son, whom I love.” Later the same voice from heaven informs the disciples of Jesus’ identity: “This is my Son, whom I love.” And at the cross the centurion, seeing how Jesus died, said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 

The centurion’s words are like a voice from heaven that again confirms that the suffering of the Messiah has been intentional. It is only when we look steadfastly at the cross that we can see the kind of Savior we need.

 

The centurion was a Gentile. Through his words we can see that the Son of God is for every nation. We need to see how Jesus died and respond with all our heart, “Surely he is the Son of God!” Every day these words should be on the tip of our tongue. Confessing our faith is the most crucial response to our salvation.

 

The Silence of Jesus

 

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15:1-5 ESV).

 

During his trial before Pontius Pilate, Jesus remained silent when asked to answer the accusations brought against him. He was questioned about His claim to kingship when Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews, Jesus replied evasively, saying "You have said so." Jesus was accused by the chief priests, and he said nothing in response. Pilate asked Him a second time if he would answer, but Jesus remained silent. We can learn a great deal from this example of Jesus.

 

When someone challenges us, we usually try to defend ourselves with a lot of defensive talk. We attempt to establish our innocence with elaborate excuses. That’s why Pilate expected Jesus to deny the false accusations made by the chief priests. But Jesus said nothing—and Pilate was amazed. The word “amazed” is used most often in the gospels at the close of a miracle story to describe the reaction of people who saw what Jesus had done. Jesus’ silence in this story also needs to be seen as a miracle. And Pilate responded with awe.

 

Jesus’ silence fulfilled a prophecy in Isaiah 53:7: “He was op-pressed and afflicted, yet … as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Sometimes silence is cowardly. There are times when we need to voice our convictions. But often silence is golden. Silence is always better than truth spoken without love. Silence calls attention to the value of the words we do say. When Jesus finally spoke, his words were intensely powerful.

 

If silence is golden, most of us are paupers. Often, we talk a lot without saying much. The discipline of silence, however, guides us to reflect on what we do say. We become better listeners, both to God and to those around us. We choose our words carefully and build people up rather than tearing them down. It is a lesson to be learned!

 

The Betrayers of Jesus

And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled. (Mark 14:43-50 ESV).

 

The Bible includes many stories in which God’s people start out well but end up forsaking the way of life and truth. Jesus calls twelve followers to be his disciples. They learn from him and follow his ways. They even go out two by two to spread the Gospel and do miracles. But in the end Judas betrays Jesus, Peter denies him, and all the other disciples flee and hide. There are also some women who faithfully follow Jesus from Galilee. But when he is arrested, they too hide in fear. Jesus’ disciples and other followers all turn out to be discipleship failures.

 

If you read about the leaders of God’s people in the Old Testament, you find that King David began as a man after God’s own heart (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14). But when he became powerful, he gave in to adultery and murder and lost his kingdom to Absalom (cf. 2 Samuel 11-15). David’s son Solomon began as the wisest king Israel ever had, but when he married women who worshiped other gods, his heart turned from God, and the kingdom split apart (cf. 1 Kings 3; 11-12).

 

These figures serve as examples to prod us to faithfulness and perseverance. Perseverance is often challenging, especially in difficult circumstances. As I wrote yesterday, our human spirits are weak. It is only by the strength of God in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we can stand firm. We gain that strength through a consistent walk with Him in prayer, meditation, and practice. Join me in that commitment.